Offer of Scholarships by the Organization of American States (OAS)

For Study Commencing 2020

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago invites ONLINE applications from
citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for scholarships being offered by the Organization of American
States (OAS) for the academic year commencing August 2020.

A. Characteristics of the Scholarship

Purpose of (i) To fill specific human resource needs in member states.
Scholarship (ii) To increase the education opportunities of the citizens of member
states in order to promote development.

Number of One (1) Undergraduate Scholarship.

Scholarships One (1) Postgraduate Scholarship.

Areas of Study to be Areas critical to National Development as indicated on the Interim

awarded List of Priority Areas of Study, excluding medical science and new
languages.
OAS scholarships are awarded for full-time study, or research
leading to a graduate or undergraduate degree, in any OAS member
state except the one sponsoring the candidate.
Who Can Apply Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
Tenability Undergraduate/ postgraduate degrees are tenable at academic
institutions in all Member States, including those participating in the
OAS Consortium Universities. The scholarship is renewed annually
subject to a satisfactory progress report as evidenced by the
attainment of a Grade Point Average of 2.50 or a general score of
50% and over.
Application Process Go to the scholarships website at www.scholarships.moe.gov.tt and
complete the prescribed application form and attach all the required
documents.
Deadline date for August 7, 2020 at 4pm.
submission
Response to For nomination:
Application The range of response time is between 60 to 90 days from the closing
date of the scholarship.
For selection:
The OAS will announce the names of successful applicants through
diplomatic channels.
General Conditions Applicants should be aware of the following general conditions of
of Scholarship the scholarship:
• The Ministry responsible for the administration of this
scholarship (hereafter referred to as “the Ministry”) reserves the
right to publish the names of candidates selected for
scholarships. By applying for a scholarship, the candidate gives
 consent for such publication in the event that his/her application
is successful.
• Scholars will be given formal notification of the award,
requesting that they indicate their acceptance of the award.
• Formal confirmation of the award will be issued when all
conditions have been met.
• Scholars will be expected to take up the award from the date
stated by the Ministry in its notification of the award.
• Apart from study related travel, Scholars will be expected to
reside in an OAS Member State throughout their scholarship and
to seek prior approval for any proposed visits abroad except for
visits to Trinidad and Tobago. Expenses for such travel are not
included in this award.
• As a general principle, Scholars pursuing these programs shall
not undertake paid employment during their awards without
prior consent from the Ministry.
• This award will be used to fund the programme of study for the
specified period.
• This award is valid for one degree only and not eligible for
completion of another degree simultaneously or continuation to
another higher degree.
• Scholars must not change their programme of study during the
tenure of the scholarship except with written consent from the
Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Scholars must maintain satisfactory progress and good standing
as stipulated by the academic institution, or the award will be
withdrawn and the Scholar liable to repay the Ministry for the
funds expended at the date of withdrawal.
• The institution of study and the course of study must be
recognised and accredited by the Accreditation Council of
Trinidad and Tobago.
• Scholars must follow the approved programme of study and
abide by the rules, regulations and codes of conduct of the
academic institution. Suspension from the academic institution
can lead to termination of the award. Allowances are not
payable during suspension (as outlined in the Policy governing
Scholarship Awards).
• The Organization of American States will require a medical
report before an award can be confirmed.
• Scholars will be required to sign an undertaking to return to
Trinidad and Tobago as soon as their scholarship ends.
• The Organization of American States and GoRTT will only
consider requests to extend the award or leave to remain in the
Member State post scholarship in instances where it is
absolutely necessary. Strict conditions will apply as outlined in
the Policy governing Scholarship Awards.
 • The Ministry will not provide any letter of non-objection to
work in a foreign country on the completion of the programme
of study.
• All terms and conditions of this award will be subject to local
law and practices of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago.
• All regulations concerning immigration and visas are set by the
OAS Member State and are outside of control of the Ministry.

Scholarship Final award of scholarships will be made when the Cabinet approves
Procedure the scholarship and the OAS advises of the selected candidates.
Applicants will be notified as indicated above. The scholarship will
be governed by a legally binding Scholarship Agreement. A duly
executed Scholarship Agreement along with other scholarship
policies shall be the binding authority between the recipient of this
award and the Trinidad and Tobago Government. Applicants are
advised to visit our website at www.scholarships.moe.gov.tt to
review additional scholarship information. Successful applicants
will also be managed by the policy and procedures of the OAS.
Role of the GoRTT The nominating Government is responsible for:
• Disseminating information on the awards;
• Ensuring that all applications at all stages of the process are
completed according to requirements;
• Ensuring that only eligible applicants are shortlisted;
• Selecting only the most suitable applicants;
• Assisting successful candidates in their preparations for taking
up the awards; and
• Monitoring the candidate’s adherence to the conditions as
stipulated in Scholarship Agreement.

B. Funding
Undergraduate/ postgraduate degrees are tenable at academic institutions in all Member States,
including those participating in the OAS Consortium Universities. The under-mentioned
payments will be made by the OAS unless otherwise stated:
Tuition and Mandatory fees (as indicated by the academic institution)
Monthly complementary subsistence allowance
Yearly book allowance
Round trip economy air travel
Medical Insurance
Salary Allowance (applicable to Permanently Appointed Public Officers only); Payment to be
made by the GoRTT
The duration of funding will be guided by the following:
Undergraduate degrees 2 years (last two years of the bachelor’s degree).
A maximum of two years of funding will be
provided.
Postgraduate degrees (Masters/PhD) 2 years.
A maximum of two years of funding will be
provided.

C. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this scholarship, an applicant must:

a) (i) Be a citizen of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and must not be a
permanent resident of any other country;
(ii) Be between the ages of 18-50 years.

b) Have obtained a university degree by the closing date for submission of applications to
the Ministry of Education, Scholarships and Advanced Training Division (for
postgraduate applicants only);

c) Be in good physical and mental health to complete the programme successfully;

d) Possess the language competency to undertake studies in the proposed country of study;

e) Be in possession of the GMAT and GRE score if required by the academic institution;

f) Be able to take up their scholarship as indicated by the OAS;

g) Agree to remain in the sponsoring country for the period of time required to complete
studies, if applying for an on-line programme;

h) Be accepted to an academic institution in an OAS Member State, including those

participating in the OAS Consortium Universities; and

i) Possess the following:

For Undergraduate degrees:

(i) Minimum of five (5) General Proficiency (CSEC) or (GCE) passes which must include:

English Language and Mathematics, CSEC- Grades I, II or GCE – Grades A or B;

In addition, the applicant must possess the following academic qualifications:

 CAPE
Four (4) CAPE subjects at Units I and II with Grades I or II or equivalent;
and
Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies with Grades I or II.
or

GCE
Four (4) GCE (Advanced Proficiency) subjects with Grades A or B;
and
General Paper with Grades A or B.
or
(ii) Five (5) General Proficiency (CSEC) passes with Grades I or II or (GCE- Ordinary
Level) passes with Grades A or B and which must include English Language and
Mathematics or equivalent;
with
An Associate Degree with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or
equivalent.

For Postgraduate degrees:

(i) Have at least a Second Class Honours degree (Upper Division) or a minimum
GPA of 3.00, if applying for a Master’s;
(ii) Have a Second Class Honours degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification, which
will normally be a Master’s degree if applying for a PhD.

Evidence of any additional qualifications should be submitted with the application.

D. Requirements

a) Applicants are required to submit three (3) recommendations electronically:

(i) Two must be academic recommendations;

(ii) One from a current or previous employer; and
(iii) The recommenders must attest to the applicant’s ability to perform and to succeed as a
scholar by providing relevant and practical examples where applicable. This may
include a description of any contribution the applicant may have made to
institutions/community/country.
Recommendations must be signed, scanned and uploaded to the online application. Only
scanned copies of the signed recommendations will be accepted.

b) i) Applicants applying for an undergraduate degree must prepare an essay, of no more than
500 words, submitted online. The essay should:
a. State why your course of study is crucial for Trinidad and Tobago’s
development and demonstrate its alignment to government’s expressed policy;
• Demonstrate that you have knowledge of this sector and present relevant data that
would highlight this as an important national issue.
b. Indicate why you have selected to study your course of study;
• Demonstrate how your educational background can help you maximize the benefit
of being exposed to this programme of study.
• Justify how this programme will be of benefit to the country (identify clear and
appropriate gaps and targets).
c. Discuss the impact the chosen course of study is likely to have on your capacity
to meet the country’s needs.
• Articulate your vision for the sector (to which your course of study applies) have
been exposed to this programme.
• Discuss the impact (medium and long term) you would like to make in relation to
the goals and objectives of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Development Plan –
Vision 2030.
ii) Applicants applying for undergraduate degrees must:
• Be enrolled in the programme of study;
• Be eligible to graduate within 2 academic years from the date of the
Scholarship offer, or accepted into the university where he or she plan of
study for the last two years of an undergraduate programme that leads to a
bachelor’s degree; and
• Have an admission letter which must state that the applicant will complete
the programme of studies within two (2) academic years.

c) Applicants applying for a postgraduate degree must prepare an essay, of no more than 750
words, submitted online. The essay should:
a. State why your course of study is crucial for Trinidad and Tobago’s
development and demonstrate its alignment to government’s expressed policy;
• Demonstrate that you have knowledge of this sector and present relevant data that
would highlight this as an important national issue.
b. Indicate why you have selected to study your course of study;
• Demonstrate how your educational background can help you maximize the benefit
of being exposed to this programme of study.
 • Justify how this programme will be of benefit to the country (identify clear and
appropriate gaps and targets).
c. Discuss the impact the chosen course of study is likely to have on your capacity
to meet the country’s needs.
• Articulate your vision for the sector (to which your course of study applies) have
been exposed to this programme.
• Discuss the impact (medium and long term) you would like to make in relation to
the goals and objectives of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Development Plan –
Vision 2030.
Please ensure your essay is formatted according to the following specifications:
i. Typed in font style Times New Roman
ii. Font size 12;
iii. Line spacing 1.0;
iv. Aligned Justified; and
v. A declared word count is displayed at the end of the study plan/essay.
Your essay must be scanned and uploaded to the online application.

Information on the offer of scholarship by the Organization of American States (OAS) is

available by accessing the following link:

www.oas.org/scholarships

E. Selection Methodology

Both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants will be assessed and recommended for a
scholarship based on the following:

i. Academic Merit
ii. Quality and content of essay
iii. Work and volunteer experience
iv. Interview

Candidates must attain a minimum score of 50% at the interview in order to be considered
for nomination for a scholarship.

Kindly note that the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is responsible for
the nomination of suitable candidates and this does not in any way guarantee selection or
placement for this scholarship.
Applicants must upload the following documents to their ‘Online’ application:

• Copies of Academic Certificates, Degrees of Diplomas;

• Proof of acceptance/enrollment at an academic institution;
• Copy of New Polymer Birth Certificate (with affidavit where necessary);
• Copy of Proof of Change of Name (where necessary);
• Copy of relevant bio data page from valid Trinidad and Tobago Passport. If this is
not available, a copy of Electoral Identification Card (back and front);
• Persons born outside of Trinidad and Tobago must provide evidence of citizenship
(copy) and residency;
• Applicants who are Public Officers must upload a signed letter from their
Permanent Secretary/Head of Department indicating that they have no disciplinary
matters pending;
• Any further documents which you prepared and which provides greater insight into
your research proposal.

Please Note:

• All originals must be produced upon request.

• Applicants must ensure that their information on the attached/uploaded
documents are legible at a zoom ratio of 100%. Applicants must not submit
documents in ‘Zip Folders’. Each document should be uploaded in the relevant
field on the upload page. Please ensure that your documents are legible by opening
and checking the quality of the document before submitting your application
online. Applications with documents, which are illegible, cannot be verified and
will therefore not be processed.

Applicants must ensure that their transcripts are sent directly to the following address: -

Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Education
(Scholarships and Advanced Training Division)
Level 10, Education Towers
# 5 St. Vincent Street
Port-of-Spain

Attention: Selections Secretariat

• Applicants who wish to hand deliver their transcripts must ensure that this
document is properly sealed by the academic institution and submitted to the
Selection Secretariat.
• Transcripts must be received before the closing date of the scholarship for your
application to be considered.
• Failure to submit all relevant documents will result in an incomplete application.
 DEADLINE DATE FOR APPLICATION: August 7, 2020 @ 4:00PM

For further information, please go to our website at www.scholarships.moe.gov.tt or contact the

office at telephone numbers 622-2181, ext. 1943, 1912, 1945 or email
scholarshipenquiries@moe.gov.tt.

Click here to access the application

Important Notice:

If you are returning to your application, please go to the scholarships website at

www.scholarships.moe.gov.tt .